Band practices continued, but Nikki didn't book any more gigs since they didn't have a full-time drummer. Mick proposed a spelling change in the band name, and after some arguing over the changes, the band was renamed Mötley Crüe. Things began to look up as Nikki wrote more songs, a few of them being titled Public Enemy #1, Live Wire, and On With the Show. And time rolled on.

Tommy improved with his teaching, and he noticed the grades in his classes skyrocketing. No AP ever came to speak to him about it again, and he couldn't have been prouder of his work. He just hoped his parents were happy, too.

Nikki was happier than he had been in years. He and Tommy went out more, because Tommy had gotten a raise. Nikki had even gotten a job at the roller rink, but it hadn't lasted long when the place shut down a month after he got the job. Oh, well. Nikki was still proud that he had held the job until the end, and made some extra cash.

It was about halfway through May when an anonymous note was slipped into the school office, telling of a suspicion between an algebra teacher and a fellow student.

Someone had been suspicious, and now the school was looking into Mr. Lee's relationship with one of his students, by the name of Frank Feranna.

Nikki could sense that something was wrong when he walked into school after a three-day weekend. Tuesday morning, and everything had seemed alright until fourth period.

There was a school official sitting in the back of the room, who wrote something down immediately after Nikki walked into the room. He sensed they were watching him.

Nikki dropped off his things, wandering over to Tommy's desk. The official took note of this.

"Hey, Mr. Lee.. what's he doing in the back of the room?" Nikki asked, trying to remain calm as he felt the official's eyes burning into him and Tommy.

"Nikki - I have no idea. I'm on the verge of panicking. I'm afraid they know about.." Tommy made a face, biting his lip. "Go sit down. Don't talk to me today until you're at my place."

Nikki nodded, heading back over to his seat. He did as Tommy told him, and did not speak to him the entire period, even when he needed help on the work. He tried his best, but by the end of the period, did not finish his worksheet. It was more his anxiety getting to him than it was not knowing how to do the work.

Nikki thought he was going to faint when he walked into study hall eighth period and the same official was there again.

He sat as far away from Tommy as possible, not even greeting the man as he entered the room.

Meanwhile, Tommy was scared stiff.

He forced himself to read all period, but when the final bell rang, he realized he had gone through thirty pages and did not remember a word he had read.

Tommy watched as his class gathered their things and exited the room. Nikki tossed a sad glance his way before making his way out and beginning the walk home.

The official stood once everyone had left, making towards the door. Tommy thought he was leaving, and began to clean up his desk and grab his bag.

The official shut the door and pulled a chair over, sitting in front of Tommy's desk. Tommy was sure his heart was beating so loud, the other man could hear it.

"Yes?" Tommy forced out, smiling falsely at the official. He smiled back.

"Hello, Mr. Lee. My name is Mr. Barker. I was sent to watch your classes with the student.. Frank Feranna?" He glanced down at his paper as he read the name.

"He prefers to be called Nikki." Tommy knew he shouldn't have said it, but he couldn't stop himself.

"Mhm.." Mr. Barker nearly scowled at this. "Well, I was sent to watch your classes with him because our office got an anonymous note saying that you might be having a..relationship, of sorts, with him."

Tommy froze, telling himself over and over again to stay calm, but he began to sweat anyway.

"What did the note say?"

"I have it here." The official handed over a crumbled piece of paper, written on in messy, student's handwriting.

/As a student observing their actions, I think Mr. Lee may be having an affair with one of his students (Frank Feranna). Frank is in Mr. Lee's 4th period math, and I think another class, but I don't know. I really believe I'm right on this. For the sake of us students, please look into this./

Tommy inhaled deeply, running his fingers through his hair. What now?

The official was glaring at him.

"Now, Mr. Lee - we're aware that you're only twenty-one, and Feranna is nineteen, so the age isn't a problem. Yes, you may be just a college student, but these are unfortunate circumstances. If you weren't teaching Feranna, there wouldn't be a problem here. But you are, so now we need to figure this out."

Tommy placed the note back on the desk, trying his best to hold eye contact with Mr. Barker.

"Would you like to explain exactly what kind of relationship you have with Feranna?"

Tommy sighed deeply, closing his eyes before he spoke.

"Yes, it's true. I /am/ dating him, but we keep it to strictly out of school. None of this was against his will, mind you. But it has never once caused favoritism in any class, and I treat him the same way I treat any of my students. In reality, both of us are students and-"

"That's all I needed. I'll be speaking to the rest of the office about this, and we'll decide what to do about you," Mr. Barker stood, tucking his clipboard under his arm. "Do not be surprised if you never teach for Feranna again, or in general, teach."

With that, he exited the room, leaving Tommy nervous enough to throw up all over the floor. He shook himself off and shouldered his bag, hightailing it to his car. He pulled out of the school and nearly sped to his apartment.

Tommy swore he had never run up the stairs faster as he unlocked his door and dashed to the bathroom. He bent over the toilet and vomited.

About ten minutes later, Tommy heard his apartment door click open. He knew the only other person who had a key was Nikki.

His boyfriend found Tommy over the toilet, weak and trembling.

"Tommy! Baby, are you alright?" He quickly crouched beside him, holding back his hair for him. Just seeing Nikki made Tommy start again. Nikki rubbed his back gently, whispering loving words to him.

"Nikki, they know about us." Tommy coughed out before he threw up again, tears ripping down his face and landing in the toilet.

Nikki closed his eyes, feeling panic start to rise in his chest. He forced himself to focus on Tommy, though, and sunk to his knees. He gently held Tommy around the waist, pressing a kiss to the burning-hot skin on the back of his neck.

"It'll be okay. We'll get through this." Nikki whimpered, although he wasn't sure if he believed it himself.

"I'm so fucked, you're so fucked, oh my god." The drummer cried, hanging his head.

After a moment, Tommy stood up, gently removing Nikki from his shaking body. He flushed the toilet and washed off his face, practically dunking his entire head under the cold faucet.

"How do they know?" Nikki asked, pulling Tommy up from the faucet by his hair.

"Someone gave them a fucking anonymous note. And we were so good in school! We weren't doing anything suspicious!" Tommy screamed, hands tearing at his hair.

Nikki stepped back against the wall, letting Tommy grasp onto the counter and bend his head back under the sink.

"Baby, please-"

"Go in the other room, Nikki. I'll be there in a minute. Let me calm down before I do something that I'll regret." Tommy growled.

Nikki did as he was told, sitting down on the couch and burying his face in his hands. He cried softly to himself, wiping his tears with his shirt.

He felt an arm around his shoulders a moment later, and he was pulled against a strong chest. Nikki glanced up at Tommy, eyes wet and reddening.

Tommy kissed him softly and lovingly, pulling him into his lap. He wrapped his arms around Nikki, holding him close.

"No matter what happens to us, I'm yours." Tommy murmured, wiping away his own tears.

"And I'm yours." Nikki whimpered, feeling Tommy intertwine their fingers and squeeze his hand.

"I love you."

"I love you."